# US 8,540,281 B2 · Steering system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,540,281 B2 - Document ID: US8540281B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/102,988 - Filed: 2011-05-06 - Published: 2011-11-10 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2010-05-07 - Assignees: TK Holdings Inc. - Applicants: Jason Carl Lisseman; Steve Pasteiner; Jerome Bosch; Valerie Gardner - Inventors: Jason Carl Lisseman; Steve Pasteiner; Jerome Bosch; Valerie Gardner - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540281B2 ## CPC - B62D 1/12: Hand levers - B62D 5/001: {Mechanical components or aspects of steer-by-wire systems, not otherwise provided for in this maingroup} - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) ## Abstract A steering system for allowing an operator to control the direction of travel of a vehicle propelled on wheels. The steering system comprises a steering input device configured to include a handle pivotally coupled to a linkage assembly configured to swivel, wherein the handle is configured to move in the fore and aft direction, wherein the steering input device generates input data based on the position of the linkage assembly and/or the handle. The steering system further comprises a communication device to communicate the input data received by the steering input device to a lower steering system, wherein the lower steering system is configured to receive the input data from the steering input device and control the direction of the wheels based on the input data received. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A steering system for allowing an operator to control the direction of travel of a vehicle propelled on wheels, comprising: a steering input device configured to include a first handle and a second handle pivotally coupled on opposing ends of a linkage assembly that is configured to swivel, wherein the handles are configured to move in the fore and aft direction, wherein the steering input device generates input data based on the position of the linkage assembly and/or at least one handle, the linkage assembly including: a first link including a first end pivotally coupled to the first handle and a second end pivotally coupled to the second handle; a second link including a first end pivotally coupled to the first handle and a second end pivotally coupled to the second handle; and a communication device to communicate the input data received by the steering input device to a lower steering system; wherein the lower steering system is configured to receive the input data from the steering input device and control the direction of the wheels based on the input data received. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The steering system of claim 1, wherein the first and second links of the linkage assembly are configured as a four-bar linkage. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The steering system of claim 2, wherein when the first handle is moved forward the second handle is configured to be moved rearward by the linkage assembly, and when the first handle is moved rearward the second handle is configured to be moved forward by the linkage assembly. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The steering system of claim 1, wherein the steering input device further includes a stop member that is configured to limit the angular rotation in which the linkage assembly is allowed to swivel about the pivot. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The steering system of claim 1, wherein the steering input device further includes a center column that is configured to support the linkage assembly and is configured to couple the steering input device to the vehicle. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The steering system of claim 1, wherein the steering input device further includes a throttle control system configured on at least one handle to control the throttle of the vehicle. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The steering system of claim 6, wherein the steering input device further includes a brake control system configured on at least one handle to control the braking of the vehicle. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The steering system of claim 1, wherein the steering input device further includes a display system for providing information to the operator of the vehicle. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The steering system of claim 1, wherein the steering input device further includes an airbag module having an inflatable airbag cushion that is configured to restrain the operator of the vehicle when inflated. ### Claim 10 A steering input device for allowing an operator of a vehicle to control the vehicle, comprising: a linkage assembly that is configured to swivel, the linkage assembly including a first link and a second link; a first handle pivotally coupled to the linkage assembly, wherein the first handle is configured to move in the fore and aft direction, wherein the direction of travel of the vehicle is controlled by the fore and aft position of the first handle and/or the position of the linkage assembly; a second handle that is pivotally coupled to the linkage assembly on the end of the linkage assembly opposite to the first handle; and a stop member that is configured to limit the angular rotation in which the linkage assembly is allowed to swivel; wherein the first link includes a first end pivotally coupled to the first handle and a second end pivotally coupled to the second handle, and the second link includes a first end pivotally coupled to the first handle and a second end pivotally coupled to the second handle; wherein when the first handle is moved forward the second handle is configured to be moved rearward by the linkage assembly, and when the first handle is moved rearward the second handle is configured to be moved forward by the linkage assembly. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The steering input device of claim 10, further comprising a center column that is configured to support the linkage assembly and is configured to couple the steering input device to the vehicle. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The steering input device of claim 11, further comprising a an arm rest support positioned under the center column. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The steering input device of claim 12, wherein the arm rest support is movable between a use position and a stowed position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The steering input device of claim 10, further comprising a display system for providing information to the operator of the vehicle. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The steering input device of claim 10, further comprising an airbag module having an inflatable airbag cushion that is configured to restrain the operator of the vehicle when inflated. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The steering input device of claim 15, further comprising a housing that is configured to enclose at least a portion of the airbag module and the linkage assembly. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The steering input device of claim 10, wherein at least one of the first and second handles is configured to extend substantially in a horizontal direction away from the linkage assembly. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The steering input device of claim 10, wherein at least one of the first and second handles includes a first portion that extends from the linkage assembly substantially in a horizontal direction and a second portion that extends from the first portion of the handle substantially in a vertical direction.